How about a career in Animation?

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | Mumbai
Animation has been described as the culmination of various arts such as drawing and painting, dance and drama (acting), music to filmmaking and story telling. According to NASSCOM the industry recorded revenues of around US$ 354 million in 2006, a growth of 24% over the previous year.

The sector is forecast to reach US$ 869 million by 2010,at a CAGR of 25 percent over the 2006-2010 period. The entertainment segment contributes a very significant percentage of the total animation market in India. Animation is the ability to draw,paint,run a computer, etc, but equally important is communication skill.

A well-rounded education is very important for success in animation. A formal fine arts training is far more desirable than a few technical courses in graphics. The animator should know the basics of sketching understand light, form and function and have a portfolio to demonstrate the fundamental skills. In addition, some knowledge and experience of programming and use of graphics software tools would be desirable.

The right stage to get into formal education would be either after class 12th or after graduation. Any background (arts, science or commerce) at the plus two level would enable one to apply for a bachelor's degree in fine art/ applied art,design,visual arts or equivalent.Admission into a formal programme would usually be based on performance in the aptitude test held for the purpose.

Entry into post graduate courses in animation in some cases is open to all graduates, but for specialised institutions like the NID, education in the form of BFA/ B Arch/ B Des/ BVC/ B Lit/ Graduation in Communication, Media, Film & TV, Mass Media/ or equivalent is required. Any other graduate with relevant one year experience / creative pursuits would also be eligible. Private institutions are more flexible about admission requirements, but the student should be have an objective assessment of his/ her potential and capabilities, in order to avoid disappointment.

Animation sector is getting catalyzed by India's considerable cost advantage, large pool of skilled, English speaking manpower, growing maturity of animation studios, development of IPR,and an attractive domestic market opportunity. Exports are estimated to have accounted for more than seventy percent of the revenues in 2006. A major proportion of the workforce is involved in the outsourcing segment. Career opportunities are varied, in entertainment, education, web designing, visual communication, advertising, gaming and so much more.

About 300 animation companies in India employ more than 16000 professionals (including freelancers) and this is expected to cross 27000 by 2010.The gaming industry is showing the same potential and employability as well. If you have what it takes to be an animator, get into the best schools/ programmes, generate a good portfolio and you would be able to launch yourself into the animation industry.

Prominent institutions(Random indicative listing)
* National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad (www.nid.edu)
* Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi (www.bitmesra.ac.in)
* Symbiosis Institute of Design,Pune (www.symbiosisdesign.ac.in)
* MAEER MIT's Institute of Design, Pune (www.iidpune.org)
* Film and Television Institute of India, Pune [www.ftiindia.com]
* Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (www.cdac.in/html/nmrc/daca.asp)
* Apeejay Institute of Design, New Delhi (www.apeejay.edu)
* Zee Institute of Media Arts (ZIMA), Mumbai (www.zimainstitute.com)
* Toonz Webel Academy, Kolkata (www.toonzwebelacademy.com)
* ZICA Mumbai (www.zica.org)
* Hindustan College of Arts & Sciences, Chennai (www.hindustancollege.edu)
* Image College of Arts, Animation and Technology, Chennai (www.icat.ac.in)
* Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC) (www.maacindia.com)
* Arena Multimedia (www.arenamultimedia.com)